A MONEY launderer has been jailed after sparking an investigation into his crimes by crashing into an undercover customs car.

Nadeem Karimzada, of Phipps House, Australia Road, White City, was found guilty of laundering £2.5m overseas for west London gangs involved in drug dealing and was jailed for three years at Croydon Crown Court on March 4.

The 21-year-old came to the attention of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) after his car collided with a customs car investigating a different case in Southall in 2009.

Routine checks on Karimzada sparked their suspicions and they turned their attentions onto the MSB Mazar Enterprises company director and his financial dealings.

They discovered he was part of a large-scale money laundering network and began an undercover operation to snare him.

In September 2009, he was challenged as he attempted to transfer £75,000 in cash at a foreign money transfer outlet before claiming the money was legitimate profits from his company.

But he could provide no evidence to back up his claim and further investigation found he had sent money to Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India and the United Arab Emirates in the previous 18 months and was charged by HMRC.

His accomplice, Arjit Arora, 45, of Hayes, Hillingdon, was jailed for four years in December last year for laundering in excess of £500,000.

Simon Grunwell, HMRC criminal investigation assistant director, said: "Karimzada came to our attention when he reversed into one of our cars in Southall. We ran checks on the car and the driver and that kickstarted our investigation.

"Through their complicit actions, Karimzada and Arora have helped criminals launder the proceeds of organised crime and transfer millions of pounds overseas.

"This sentence reflects how seriously HMRC and the courts view these offences and will act as a deterrent to others."

HMRC have now launched confiscation proceedings against Karimzada has also been disqualified from being a company director for seven years.

Anyone with information about similar crimes should call HMRC hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.